69 and 70. Mr. COOTEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) if he will see that creameries in county Tyrone, such as Augher and Fivemiletown, be granted permits to prosecute their legitimate trade with British wholesale firms on the basis of their cross-Channel trade for the past three years; is he aware that in 1916 the former creamery shipped 117 tons of butter to fifteen British firms, and in 1917 96 tons to seventeen firms as well as supplying 2 tons yearly to about fifty parcels post customers; will he see that these co-operative industries which have been created and fostered at great cost and labour will not be destroyed by withholding permits; (2) if he is aware of the effect of the Butter Order lately promulgated in Ireland on the working of creameries, especially in Ulster; is he aware that many of these creameries built up their trade supplying British customers with butter, and that by virtue of this Order their connection with cross-Channel wholesale firms is severed and the work of many years of enterprise is 474 threatened to be destroyed; will lie explain Why this Order has been issued and how these industries are to exist after the War if long-standing connection with their British customers is to be cut off now; and will he see that permits are given to these industries to renew and. keep alive their legitimate trade?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Butter (Ireland) Order was issued when the shortage of butter in Ireland had become so acute that the widespread demands for prohibition of export was seen to be justified. The Food Controller is aware that the effect of the Order is to interfere with the usual trade of the Irish creameries, but this course is rendered necessary by considerations of public policy, in order that the limited supplies of butter maybe more fairly distributed. As soon as any surplus butter becomes available in. Ireland, those producers and merchants. who in 1916 exported butter to Great Britain will be permitted to resume their export trade, subject to the necessary control of distribution by the Ministry of Food.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the shortage of butter in Ireland ever been anything like the shortage in London and many other places of this country?
Mr. COOTEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these creameries never. did supply butter to the Irish. The trade created was a cross-Channel trade. If he disturbs that trade now, what is to happen to these creameries after the War, when they come into competition with Danish and Dutch butter again? It is a serious matter for these creameries.
§ Mr. CLYNESIf the statements asserted. in the questions are correct, that reduces the grievances of the persons who have control of the Irish creameries.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the hon. Gentleman say whether the shortage of butter in. Ireland has been anything like the shortage in London and other parts of this country?
§ Mr. CLYNESLimited as I am to this region of England, I cannot say what is the situation in Ireland; I only know that the situation here has been very serious.
§ General M'CALMONTWill the hon. Gentleman tell the House on what he bases his information as to the shortage in Ireland: who told the Minister of Food that there was a shortage in Ireland?
§ Mr. CLYNESFrom the general information available for the construction of the reply that I have given.
Mr. COOTEWas this change of policy not suggested by the Sinn Fein population in the neighbourhood of Dublin, who are not doing war work, and so assisting the legitimate trade of the people of this country?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have never heard that the political opinions of any Irishman interfered with his desire to do trade with England.
§ Mr. J. O'CONNORIs it the fact that this Order has been issued through the Agricultural Department in Ireland, not under pressure, but duly and lawfully issued from the Department that represents the Food Controller in Ireland; and has he not been justified by the reports from all parts of the country?
§ Mr. CLYNESI should like notice of that question, which deals with points of fact.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLHas there been any corresponding prohibition of exports from Scotland?
§ Mr. CLYNESI am not aware of that.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs there need to institute comparisons?